DNA may hold clues in baby's slaying

New Paltz man stands accused of 2-year-old niece's 2012 death

7:04 AM,
Apr. 1, 2013

Joseph A. Rodriguez

Written by

John Ferro
| Poughkeepsie Journal

Several hours after first responders arrived to find little Asia Perez-Medina dead in her aunt's arms, police were still poring over the property where the 2-year-old had taken her last breath.

It was June 20, 2012. Asia's death, a coroner's report later would say, had been caused by "severe skull fractures with brain injuries due to blunt force trauma."

Investigators from the New Paltz Police Department and other agencies could be seen walking around a house on Route 32, a short distance north of the village. They climbed up into the woods behind the house. They looked under objects in the ...